Man Utd at risk of missing out on third midfield target despite agreeing personal terms with Newcastle chiefs ‘pushing’

Some Newcastle United chiefs are reportedly ‘pushing’ for an approach to be made for Manchester United target Carlos Baleba.

That’s according to MailSport’s Craig Hope, who adds that the Brighton and Hove Albion starlet shares an agency with newly-appointed Magpies boss Matthias Jaissle.

Carlos Baleba: The state of play

Both United and Newcastle are reluctant to ignite their pursuits after Baleba sustained an ankle injury that would keep him out of the opening of 2026/2027.

However, assuming it doesn’t turn into a long-term setback, the 22-year-old could still spend the bulk of the season playing week in and week out, so would it be worth passing up the opportunity now?

Hope states that Brighton are ‘open to offers’ for their player – a year after blocking his exit following an enquiry from United.

At that time, the Red Devils managed to seal an agreement on personal terms with Baleba, and he has been desperate to make the switch to Old Trafford ever since.

Could Baleba be United’s third midfield addition?

In the event Newcastle managed to swiftly negotiate an agreement with the Seagulls, it’d see Baleba join Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes as midfielders United have missed out on since the window opened.

INEOS are still scouring the market for a third addition to follow Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans through the doors at Carrington, while the Tyneside outfit must find a replacement for captain and talisman Bruno Guimaraes after his £75m move to Arsenal.

It remains to be seen what kind of fee Brighton would demand for the Cameroon international, whose form faltered throughout 2025/2026.

Yet, he’s young enough that he can brush off any lacklustre showings and use them as a learning curve while still developing his game.

Read more: ‘Buy him right now’ — Rio Ferdinand orders INEOS to ‘get the chequebook out’ and green-light unmissable summer transfer